Swordfish fishing out of Galveston means an 80-90 mi run to water 1,500 ft deep or more, fished on a 12-hr or dawn-to-dusk day. The fishing is a daytime deep drop, and it happens far from the beach. For the Gulf-wide picture, see swordfish in the Gulf of Mexico (see also the wider Gulf of Mexico guide).
How far and how deep swordfish water is from Galveston
Two numbers decide the trip: the distance from the jetties and the depth under the boat. Everything else on this page depends on them.
The run
Just Cast’s 12-hr deep drop runs 80-90 mi, measured from the Galveston jetties. The trip takes the whole day, so plan the run out, the fishing and the return as one block.
The depth
The target water is about 1,500 ft and deeper.
Reading conditions (NDBC 42035)
NOAA buoy station 42035 sits 22 NM east of Galveston at 29.235 N 94.410 W. It gives a nearshore reading and does not report from the grounds 80-90 mi out.
Pair it with the official Houston/Galveston marine forecast. Read wind, wave height and period as numbers, and make the call from those.
Grounds and structure on the way out
Most named structure off Galveston sits well short of swordfish depth. The spots below are reference points and stops along the run, listed in the order you meet them from the jetties. The Galveston port guide covers the jetties, reefs and rigs in more detail.
| Name | Distance or bearing from the jetties | Depth |
|---|---|---|
| Galveston jetties (north at Bolivar, south at Galveston Island) | At the entrance channel | 24-28 ft |
| 61st and 91st Street seawall piers | On the Galveston seawall | n/a |
| Big Man’s Nearshore Reef | About 20 mi SW | n/a |
| Kate’s Nearshore Reef | About 20 mi SW | n/a |
| Wrecks and rigs | 30-60 mi | n/a |
| Cerveza oil rig | Due south | n/a |
| Deep-drop grounds | 80-90 mi | 1,500 ft plus |
| Flower Garden Banks | 90-110 mi | 200-1,000+ ft |
| Nansen oil rig | 100-130 mi | n/a |
At the jetties and seawall
The north jetty at Bolivar, the south jetty at Galveston Island and the entrance channel between them are the departure point for every distance on this page. The 61st Street and 91st Street seawall piers are pay piers on the Galveston seawall and serve only as shore landmarks. None of this is swordfish water.
About 20 mi southwest: Big Man’s and Kate’s
Big Man’s Nearshore Reef and Kate’s Nearshore Reef lie roughly 20 mi southwest of the jetties. They are reference structure off the route and are not swordfish spots.
30 to 60 mi: wrecks and rigs, and Cerveza
Wrecks and rigs at 30-60 mi sit far shallower than the drop depth. Cerveza lies due south of the jetties and works as a waypoint on the way out.
90 to 110 mi: Flower Garden Banks
The Flower Garden Banks lie 90-110 mi offshore, per Get Hooked, in 200-1,000+ ft of water. That is shallower than 1,500 ft, so it is outside swordfish depth.
100 to 130 mi: Nansen
Nansen lies 100-130 mi out, per a trip recap, and is fished for yellowfin tuna at night.
How swordfish are fished from Galveston
The local method is a deep drop, fished in daylight.
Deep drop at 1,500 ft plus
Texas Deep Sea Fishing Charters fishes a deep drop at 1,500 ft plus. It is the local standard on these trips: the bait goes to the bottom of the target water and is fished there.
Daytime trips and timing
The Texas Deep Sea Fishing Charters sword trip runs dawn to dusk. The day is built around the run out and the run back, with the fishing in daylight between them. Our swordfish guide covers season, biology and gear.
Who fishes for swordfish out of Galveston
Three local charters list swordfish. If you want a Galveston swordfish charter before running your own boat, these are the names.
Galveston Offshore Fishing
Capt. Shannon LaBauve runs the 31 ft Oceanmaster Half Time for Galveston Offshore Fishing.
Just Cast Charters
Just Cast Charters runs a 31 ft Ocean. The swordfish trip is the Just Cast’s deep drop trip, a 12-hr day.
Texas Deep Sea Fishing Charters
Texas Deep Sea Fishing Charters runs a 33 ft Contender on a dawn-to-dusk sword trip. The site covers Galveston and Freeport.
For the other offshore billfish targets, see our billfish guides.
FAQ: swordfish fishing out of Galveston
How far offshore do you run for swordfish from Galveston?
80-90 mi from the jetties, per Just Cast’s 12-hr deep drop.
How deep is swordfish water off Galveston?
About 1,500 ft and deeper.
How long is a Galveston swordfish trip?
A full day. Just Cast runs 12 hr, and Texas Deep Sea Fishing Charters runs dawn to dusk.
Which Galveston charters list swordfish?
Galveston Offshore Fishing, Just Cast Charters and Texas Deep Sea Fishing Charters.
Are the Flower Garden Banks swordfish depth?
No. They run 200-1,000+ ft, shallower than the 1,500 ft drop depth, at 90-110 mi.
Where do you check conditions before the run?
NDBC 42035, 22 NM east of Galveston. It is a nearshore reading, so pair it with the official marine forecast.
